NFL Week 9 Game Preview: Bills vs. Chiefs

The Kansas City Chiefs (8-0) enter today’s match-up against the Buffalo Bills (3-5) as the NFL’s only remaining unbeaten team, but considering wins haven’t necessarily come easy for the Chiefs in recent weeks, they aren’t thumping their chests too much as they travel to Ralph Wilson Stadium.

“We’ve always been humble,” Chiefs safety Eric Berry said, according to ESPN.com. “We’re going to keep working because we know how hard these wins are to come by. We don’t take these for granted.”

Kansas City’s streak has continued fairly quietly, as it has won with defense and a lack of flashy style points. The Chiefs enter week nine allowing just 12.3 points per contest (1st in NFL), but are only scoring a mediocre 24 points per game and have won their last two by a total of seven points. Of course, the Chiefs are not concerned with panache, but rather with executing the gameplan.

“We’re not trying to be the beauty queens. A win is a win,” Chiefs receiver Dexter McCluster said. “We know we’re going to have to fight. This is the NFL.”

And although the Bills enter today’s battle with a losing record, the Chiefs expect another hard-fought contest this week. Buffalo has won five of the last six meetings between the two squads and hopes to continue its recent dominance against KC.

However, this year’s match-up will be more challenging for Buffalo, which is not only going up against the league’s only undefeated team, but is also dealing with a slew of significant injuries – including some to its best players.

Already playing without first-round draft pick E.J. Manuel, the Bills may also be missing second-string quarterback Thad Lewis, who will be a game-time decision today with sore ribs. If he’s not able to go, Buffalo will have to resort to starting either Jeff Tuel or Matt Flynn, whom the Bills recently acquired from free agency.

The Bills could also be without star running back C.J. Spiller – who sat out last week with an ankle injury – again today and will likely only receive limited production from receiver Stevie Johnson, who is dealing with a hip flexor injury.

With the Bills playing several backups at important offensive skill positions, the Chiefs defense should have an even easier time slowing down Buffalo’s offense. And considering Buffalo’s defense is ranked 24th against the pass and 26th against the rush this season, the Chiefs should have success on that side of the ball as well.

Kansas City hasn’t blown many teams out this season, but even on the road, this is one game they could bust wide open early. Look for the Chiefs to cover -4 today.